My vote is for the Kimber! I have the TLEII (equivalent to the LAPD SWAT gun). I am also in the process of putting the funds together for a CDP Ultra. Kimber comes with features out of the box that you have to pay extras to get from others or have a gunsmith work on your pistol to get. You won't be dissatisfied.
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A non Busse Question (though I do want Busse Grips :D) Need a little advice.
- Thread starter pbubsy
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- Mar 10, 2006
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- 80
Man I love guns! Out of the three mentioned, I guess I'd pick up the Kimber. Having said that, Colt has come a long way with the latest XSE offering, and a 220 Sig is a fine double-action piece that guards my nightstand. If I could only have ONE pistol however, that ONE would be the same as the one I carry daily in a IWB holster...... a lightweight Colt Commander ......HANDS DOWN.
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KIMBER!!!
Damn.....
I might just have to do some more work on a trade and pick up all three and call it a day!! He's building a buggy and I have a lot of parts 
!! I appreciate everyone's input! I've been looking at pictures of all three and seem to like the looks of many of the custom Colts/Kimbers but see what a kick azz deal you can get with a factory customized SA. It's a hard decision!! I just checked with him and the Colt is a basic series 80. What's the difference between that one and the other Colts? Is it better or inferior in any ways?
I might just have to do some more work on a trade and pick up all three and call it a day!! He's building a buggy and I have a lot of parts !! I appreciate everyone's input! I've been looking at pictures of all three and seem to like the looks of many of the custom Colts/Kimbers but see what a kick azz deal you can get with a factory customized SA. It's a hard decision!! I just checked with him and the Colt is a basic series 80. What's the difference between that one and the other Colts? Is it better or inferior in any ways?
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series 80 has a pin that slides up from the frame into the slide. to disassemble you have to make sure the rear safety is not engaged. its a firing pin type safety. when the rear safety is not engaged the trigger cant be pulled and the firing pin is prevented from forward movement.
series 70 pistols dont have this mechanism. fairly new development, i believe, and is currently a requirement in ca.
to disagree with another post, the colts generally have higher tolerances than the others. being milled and hand fitted, also take a bit longer to break in.
being milled, they are also stronger, technically, and the consistency of the metal in the parts is better.
most kimbers are cast, some springfields are milled, all colts are milled.
series 70 pistols dont have this mechanism. fairly new development, i believe, and is currently a requirement in ca.
to disagree with another post, the colts generally have higher tolerances than the others. being milled and hand fitted, also take a bit longer to break in.
being milled, they are also stronger, technically, and the consistency of the metal in the parts is better.
most kimbers are cast, some springfields are milled, all colts are milled.
on_the_edge
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Mark,
If you are referring to my post, I got my information from an article that appeared in American Handgunner magazine a few months back.
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Can't really advise which one to get as I haven't shot those models, but here's a link to a smith that customizes .45's.
Enjoy. Oh, and these would definitely put a crimp in your Busse collecting.
FEW set you back aint a lie buddy, a used is a pretty penny. I could buy two Grand Raptors for one of the used ones.
Matteo Escobar
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Of those three I would take the Springfield. All three do have some MIM/cast parts, and as stated the Springfield and Colt have forged frames.
Springfield has by far the best reputation for customer service, and that counts for a lot. They also have the best reputation for their guns running consistently, and that too counts for a lot.
Another aspect to consider is that nearly all of the top smiths do their full-house custom work on Springfield frames. I've never seen a full-house custom job on a Kimber. Just something to think about.
Springfield has by far the best reputation for customer service, and that counts for a lot. They also have the best reputation for their guns running consistently, and that too counts for a lot.
Another aspect to consider is that nearly all of the top smiths do their full-house custom work on Springfield frames. I've never seen a full-house custom job on a Kimber. Just something to think about.
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forged, thats what i meant. ive been saying milled.
Cobalt
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pretty accurate. The springfield is top for performance custom, but Colt still holds value better. tough decission.
Matteo Escobar
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Not mine, but a couple of SWEET custom Springfields.
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If it's a series 80, skip the Colt.
They messed with Brownings design for no good reason.
Do some research on the Springfield.
I know that some of their 1911's are assembled and tuned in the U.S. (the good ones) The rest are done in Argentina and set up more like a service pistol, good for FMJ but not as accurate as they could be. I think they might have a two piece barrel also.
I thought that the Kimbers had a forged frame. I know that the trigger, disconnector and sear are probably MIM parts but the tollerances are tight and they just plain work. In my experience they group well also.
You should try to shoot all of them, check the slide to frame fit, check the barrel lug engagement and make sure their are no worn out parts.
Look at some exploded drawings and learn how to field strip them. You want to know what you are looking at.
They messed with Brownings design for no good reason.
Do some research on the Springfield.
I know that some of their 1911's are assembled and tuned in the U.S. (the good ones) The rest are done in Argentina and set up more like a service pistol, good for FMJ but not as accurate as they could be. I think they might have a two piece barrel also.
I thought that the Kimbers had a forged frame. I know that the trigger, disconnector and sear are probably MIM parts but the tollerances are tight and they just plain work. In my experience they group well also.
You should try to shoot all of them, check the slide to frame fit, check the barrel lug engagement and make sure their are no worn out parts.
Look at some exploded drawings and learn how to field strip them. You want to know what you are looking at.
I guess I'm a little more between the Colt and the SA on this one....I'm going to check both out some more. The Kimber sounds great....I think I'll get my hands on one at a later time though. I want to go with the classic first. Is there any difference in reliability between the Colt and the SA? Are there any parts that are known for wearing out or failing on either?
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the parts are almost identical. many will fit either gun.
as far as reliability, all three will be about the same. in general, im not aware of any parts specific to either model that are prone to wear any more than normal.
most malfunctions can be fixed by either cleaning or replacing the recoil spring. they normally have about a 2000-3000 lifespan. when the tension goes down, the slide recoils faster than the extractor can remove the spent casing, sometimes causing a hang up.